The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-02-01
Il II 4
KAPIOLANI PARK ASSOCIATION d.


The election OF directors for the kapi
olani Park Association, which is an
nOunced i'll to-day's ADVERTISER, raises
more than one question in which the
people at large are Interested. The first
is the question OF public convenience
the next is the question of public enjoy
ment Both are nearly allied. Now, il
so happens that the road through and
around kapioani Park is public high
Way, although it has been made and
kept in repair by an incorporated com
pany. II therefore belongs to the pub
lie in Il sense which neither the Kapio-
lani Park Association nor anyone else
will deny.
But the public love sport, and it is not
part of the functions of the Park AS
ISOLATION TO furnish it. The Association
therefore leased to the Jockey Club u
portion oil the park to form a racing
track. The annual rental was a nominal
sum, for the purpose Of encouraging
sport If this consideration had
not entered into the conditions
OF the lease it either would not
have been made, or a fair rental would
have been charged. For a time every
thing was in good form. There was no
complaint of want Of support on the part
OF the Jockey Club, but by degrees racing
"crookedness" was suspected, and it
was thought that the Jockey Club was I'M
able to protect the public against the
"birds of prey who, under cover OF
racing, endeavored to swindle.
When this was demonstrated the
the races. And very naturally. Men
can hardly be expected to put their
hands into their pockets to provide a
bonus for cheating and humbugging
themselves. Then the Jockey Club e1.-
deavored to coerce the public which re-
fused to subscribe by levying toll upon
the Kings highway at Waikiki bridge.
A notification from the Government put
an end to this method of raising money,
which would have been perfectly legiti-
mate if the Waikiki road had belonged to
the Jockey Club. But as this condition
did not exist, the Intervention of the Gov
eminent on behalf of the public was My
proper.
What then was to be done? The peo-
pie refused to subscribe for races which
they supposed were not honestly
run, and they could not be reached
by com pulsory ass sssment on the !
Kings highway, wherefore it was re-
solved TO wall up the race track and pre-
vent anyone who did not pay tribute .
from witnessing any racing events. This
was done, and at great expense upon
a lease almost run out. The public pro-
tested, but in vain. A high board fence
enclosed the best part of kapiolani Park,
insignificant, mean and com
what had been one of the
most attractive ana beautiful stretches
Of country ever dedicated to public uses.
The object again was to assess the public
by compelling them either
to pay admission fees or not to see
he races Ii the fence in question had
been movable and had only been kept
Up during race meetings, this thing
night have passed without much COM
nent; but it WAS a permanent structure,
md at all times and in all seasons
spoiled the Park, and threw it out of the
list of local attractions for visiting
strangers.
The Jockey Club, with an unexpired
ERIN of few years, apparently
lid not care for this. They wanted
money for their purses" and plates
nd took all chances. From a sporting
ssociation this was to be expected, but
We have now to deal with the Kapiolani
lark Association, which is responsible
D the public, being the recipient of pub
C money, and therefore public trustee.
-ow, it cannot be contended that the
legislature, last session, voted $1,000 in
id of the Kapiolani Park Association for
le sole purpose OF making fine APP !
oaches to the close preserve of its
.nant, the Jockey Club. On the con-
ary the Legislature most emphatically
the fence, and it was only t
rough the exercise Of the very highest t
fuence that any money at all was I
tied to the Park Association without /
looking to the removal of the t